A troubled youth meets a naïve young girl in 1965. While working together in the dental field they fell in love and married. This started them on an incredible 52 year journey together. Howard quickly realized being married would require a more stable financial future and moved on to work for Cloverdale Dairies as a route salesman. This subsequently led to a lengthy employment with Pepsi Cola Co. After achieving southeastern district manager, he found his true love and passion when he became a volunteer firefighter in the Oak Grove Community. He helped organize and start Oak Grove Volunteer Fire department in 1973. When Oak Grove became a paid department in 1977, he left a high paying job with Pepsi to become a full time firefighter. He did this realizing he would have to work several part time jobs to provide for his family. He fought fire until 1995, achieving the rank of Captain, until a surgery took him off the line. He started his second career becoming Deputy Fire Marshal for Cherokee County. While working in this capacity he also served as President of Georgia Fire Inspectors Association 8 years. He also served as President of North Georgia Code Officials Association 4 years. After 36 years of service with Cherokee County he retired in April of 2009. Not satisfied to sit at home, he started working for the City of Holly Springs part time as Fire Marshal. While maintaining his work ethics he also helped form Cherokee County Senior Softball Association in 1995 and remained active in the program until last year. He is survived by his wife Susan of 52 years, his daughter Michelle Witcher (husband Chip), his son Joe (wife Heather), his sister Joan Emory, and 5 loving grandchildren.
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